Step bolt connector assembly

Abstract

A step bolt connector and bolt assembly creates steps on a structure for accommodating a worker's boot. A first threaded bore is formed in a cylindrical end of a step bolt connector and this first threaded bore is threaded onto an exposed bolt on a structure. A sight hole extends from the exterior of the connector to the inward end of the first threaded bore for visually checking to see if the bolt is adequately attached in the first bore. A recess is formed in the cylindrical end and the recess is dimensioned to fit over fastening nut on the exposed bolt on the structure. When the first threaded bore is screwed onto the exposed bolts on the structure, the recess at least partially surrounds shields and protects the fastening nut on the exposed end of the bolt. A second threaded bore is formed in a second end (a truncated conical end) of the connector, and a step bolt is secured in the second threaded bore. The step bolt is dimensioned so that the step bolt when fastened to the connector forms a step on the structure having a length greater than the width of the workers boot. In this manner, a convenient step is formed on the structure for use in climbing the structure to perform repairs, maintenance or modifications.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A step assembly comprising:
 a. a structure; 
 b. bolts secured to the structure with threaded ends of the bolts exposed; 
 c. nuts securing the bolts to the structure; 
 d. a plurality of step bolt connectors, each step bolt connector having:
 i. a main body having first and second ends; 
 ii. a first threaded bore formed in the main body, the first threaded bore being threadably secured to one of the bolts and accepting the end of the bolt to a depth sufficient to securely fasten the connector to the bolt; 
 iii. a step bolt having a length sufficient to form a step for a worker climbing the structure and having a threaded second end; and 
 iv. a second threaded bore formed in second end of the main body, the second threaded bore being dimensioned to fit the threaded second end of the step bolt and to accept the threaded second end to a depth sufficient to securely fasten the step bolt to the structure, the step bolt being dimensioned so that the step bolt when fastened to the step bolt connector forms a step on the structure having a length greater than the width of the worker's boot, 
 
 e. wherein only the threaded second end of the step bolt is secured to the structure to thereby provide a single connection point between the step bolt and the structure, and wherein a step bolt extends outwardly away from the structure such that the worker's boot may be placed onto the step bolt between the structure and the head of the bolt. 
 
     
     
       2. The step bolt connector of  claim 1  further comprising a sight hole extending from the exterior of the main body to a position adjacent an inward end of the first threaded bore. 
     
     
       3. The step bolt connector of  claim 1  further comprising a tie-off having:
 a first end having a first opening configured to mount around a portion of the step bolt; and 
 a second end having a second opening sized and configured to receive an attachment. 
 
     
     
       4. The step bolt connector of  claim 3  further comprising a threaded nut for securing the tie-off in place on the step bolt, the nut threaded onto the threaded second end of the step bolt and arranged such that the tie-off is disposed between the conical end of the connector and the nut. 
     
     
       5. A step bolt connector and bolt assembly for creating steps on a structure for accommodating a worker's boot, the structure having bolts secured to the structure with threaded ends of the bolts exposed and nuts securing the bolts to the structure, the assembly comprising:
 a. a step bolt connector having a main body, the main body having a cylindrical end and a truncated conical end; 
 b. a recess formed in the cylindrical end dimensioned to fit over at least one of the nuts; 
 c. a first threaded bore formed in the main body coaxial with the recess, the first threaded bore being dimensioned and threaded to fit at least one of the bolts and to accept the end of the bolt to a depth sufficient to dispose the recess over the nut so that the recess at least partially shields and protects the nut; 
 d. a step bolt having a length sufficient to form a step for a worker climbing the structure, having a head at one end of the step bolt and having a threaded second end, 
 e. a second threaded bore formed in truncated conical end of the main body, the second threaded bore being dimensioned to fit the threaded second end of the step bolt and to accept the threaded second end to a depth sufficient to securely fasten the step bolt to the tower, the step bolt being dimensioned so that the step bolt when fastened to the step bolt connector forms a step on the structure having a length greater than the width of the worker's boot. 
 
     
     
       6. The step bolt connector of  claim 5  further comprising a sight hole extending from the exterior of the main body to a position adjacent an inward end of the first threaded bore. 
     
     
       7. A step bolt connector and bolt assembly for creating steps on a structure for accommodating a worker's boot, the structure having blind bolts secured to the structure with threaded ends of the bolts exposed and nuts securing the bolts to the structure, the threaded ends of the blind bolts including projections on the threaded ends having diameters less than the diameters of the threaded ends of the blind bolts, the assembly comprising:
 a. a step bolt connector having a main body, the main body having a cylindrical end and a truncated conical end; 
 b. a recess formed in the cylindrical end dimensioned to fit over at least one of the nuts; 
 c. a first threaded bore formed in the main body coaxial with the recess, the first threaded bore having a bottom and being dimensioned and threaded to fit at least one of the bolts and to accept the end of the bolt to a depth sufficient to dispose the recess over the nut so that the recess at least partially shields and protects the nut; 
 d. a cavity formed at the bottom of the first threaded bore, the cavity being dimensioned to receive the projection on the end of the blind bolt when the blind bolt is fully threaded into the first threaded bore; 
 e. a step bolt having a length sufficient to form a step for a worker climbing the structure, having a head at one end of the step bolt and having a threaded second end; 
 f. a second threaded bore formed in truncated conical end of the main body, the second threaded bore being dimensioned to fit the threaded second end of the step bolt and to accept the threaded second end to a depth sufficient to securely fasten the step bolt to the tower, the step bolt being dimensioned so that the step bolt when fastened to the step bolt connector forms a step on the structure having a length greater than the width of the worker's boot. 
 
     
     
       8. The step bolt connector of  claim 7  further comprising a sight hole extending from the exterior of the main body to a position adjacent an inward end of the first threaded bore.